NEWARK – Devils center Andrei Loktionov made it a point to take notice of Ryane Clowe during recent practices.

The Russian couldn't help himself seeing how healthy the big left winger looked skating around and shooting pucks 2-plus months after suffering a concussion.

All the while, Loktionov was thinking about how his team soon would be getting a gigantic lift.

When getting to the rink Friday morning after a 3-day Christmas vacation, Loktionov was psyched to hear the news that Clowe will return Friday night against Columbus as one of his wingers.

A newly formed fourth line that Devils coach Pete DeBoer put together has Loktionov centering Clowe and Stephen Gionta.

"I love this line," Loktionov said. "It's a pretty good line."

The unit offers a bunch of different ingredients - finesse from Loktionov, speed and energy from Gionta, and muscle, grit and goal-scoring ability from Clowe, who has 104 goals in 441 career games, including 24 in 2010-11 and 22 in 2008-09 while with the San Jose Sharks.

"Hopefully, we can build some chemistry and contribute," Gionta said.

Clowe was injured on Oct. 23 in Winnipeg, just the Devils' sixth game of the season. At that point, he had one assist and was a minus-5.

He began the season getting new linemates just about every game. He played the season opener with Patrik Elias and Damien Brunner, switched to Elias and Jaromir Jagr for the next, then Loktionov and Brunner for two, then Henrique and Michael Ryder for one, then Travis Zajac and Brunner for the Winnipeg game.

Based on what he's seen in recent practices and Friday's morning skate, Loktionov thinks Clowe will be an impact player from the get go.

"He looks good," Loktionov said. “He’s looked solid the last month. What's he bring? He's physical. He's a strong guy who's going to help us stay in the offensive zone."

Devils players have been eagerly awaiting the return of Clowe, who joined the franchise last summer as an unrestricted free agent, signing for $24.5 million over 5 seasons.

"He's one of the big signings in the summer and I think everybody was excited getting him on the team," forward Adam Henrique said.

Against Columbus, Clowe's entire line might experience a few early game butterflies because Loktionov missed the last 2 games because he was sick and Gionta, normally the fourth-line center, is switching to wing.

Gionta says he'll easily adjust to the right wing, his natural position even though he’s mostly been the Devils’ fourth-line center since the 2012 playoffs, his first lasting NHL stint.

“It should be too bad because they've moved me around a few other times,” Gionta said. “I’m excited to play with Clowey. I know he's been chomping at the bit to get back out there. We’re real excited to have him back.

“His physical presence and veteran leadership out there I think can be the biggest thing for us. He’s a big stronger player and he holds onto that puck very well. I think he’s going to add some pretty good energy for us.”

Henrique says the entire team will be emotionally lifted because Clowe, who stands 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, is such a presence on and off the ice.

"There always is when somebody returns, especially with a guy like him," Henrique said. "Big guy. He comes in and is going to create space for us. He's going to bring some offense and bring some of that physical play.

"It's tough to see a guy get injured like that early in the season and take awhile to get back, but it's good to see him back on the room and back on the ice."